Bicultural-Bilingual Studies hosts language day

(Feb. 13, 2008)--The UTSA College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) and the Bicultural-Bilingual Studies Program will host a brown-bag luncheon to celebrate International Mother Language Day from noon to 1:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15 in Main Building Room 2.220, 1604 Campus. Discussion will focus on heritage languages in a U.S. context. UTSA students, faculty and staff are invited to bring their lunch to the event.

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Discussion topics will include "Heritage Language Learning and Ideologies of Pre-service Latina/Latino Teachers in Texas" by Assistant Professor Lucila Ek and "Heritage Language Learning in the U.S.A.: The Case of the Khmer" by Assistant Professor Wayne Wright.

The UNESCO General Conference first proclaimed International Mother Language Day (IMLD) in 1999 with the aim of focusing attention on the importance of individuals' mother tongues in social and cultural development. IMLD takes on special significance in 2008 because the UN proclaimed it the International Year of Languages.

Activities will take place throughout 2008 at institutions worldwide to raise awareness of relationships between global linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.

For more information on this and other International Year of Languages events, call (210) 458-6459 or visit the UNESCO Web site.